Read Online Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel by G.G. Vandagriff - Free Book Online Page B

tarts—cherry, gooseberry, lemon, and apple.
    “I would say that your new chef is proving himself very capable,” Lord Shewsbury said.
    “He is rather good, is he not?” Aunt Clarice asked.
    “I vote that you keep him,” Fanny said and then excused herself to take care of Alexa’s needs.
    “Let us repair to the Chinese Saloon again,” Lady Clarice said. “Where we can talk business.”
    Once they were comfortably seated, Lord Shrewsbury said, “Lady Clarice, I know that you have been working to increase literacy among women. I would like you to consider helping me to organize a school for orphaned girls from the East End. You would know the best primers for me to purchase and how to keep the girls interested in reading.”
    “Splendid idea,” Sukey said before her friend could answer. “Truly splendid!”
    “Yes,” Aunt Clarice said. “I do think that is an inspired idea. Both Sukey and I would love to organize such an endeavor. I will look into available primers. There are some that might be more appropriate for girls.”
    “I just thought of an idea,” Sophie said. “In order for them to really want to learn to read, would it not be amusing for them to have someone read something to them that would pique their interest in learning to read for themselves? How old are your pupils to be?”
    “That is well thought of,” Aunt Clarice said. “What ages did you have in mind, Lord Shrewsbury?”
    “I think perhaps we ought to have two age groups. Maybe ages seven through ten, and eleven through sixteen.”
    “The eleven-through-sixteen girls would love to hear books like Mrs. Radcliffe’s Mysteries of Udolpho. I think the more hair-raising, the better,” Sophie said. “Remember, these girls are not sheltered misses. They would not sit still for a more conventional work.”
    Sukey laughed and was joined by Aunt Clarice. “I am sure Sophie’s idea would make the lessons very popular! I think in most attempts to teach reading, they concentrate on sermons or the like,” Sukey said.
    “I told Lord Trowbridge yesterday that I would love to be a teacher. He is part of the enterprise, too, is he not?”
    For a moment, Shrewsbury’s forehead was marred by a frown. Then he said, “Yes. Yes, he is.”
    Fanny entered the room, and Shrewsbury related his plans for his scheme once again. Fanny repeated her offer to help when she was no longer at Alexa’s beck and call.
    “But, Fan, could you not bring Alexa, at least for an hour?” Sophie asked. “There is no one I know who could do a more splendid job reading Mrs. Radcliffe to these girls.”
    “Oh, what fun that could be. Yes, perhaps I could manage it. I could bring Alexa in her pram.”
    For the next hour, they sat in council while Sukey and Aunt Clarice spoke with Shrewsbury, developing their plans. Sophie became very enthusiastic.
    In the entrance hall as they were preparing to leave later, Lord Shrewsbury asked her, “Do you go to Lady Carmichael’s musicale this evening?”
    Sophie looked at Fanny. “Have we received an invitation, Fan?”
    “No,” her sister said. “People do not invite us to many things because it has gotten about that I prefer to stay home with Alexa.”
    “Might I offer you my escort then?” Shrewsbury asked. “I should not like for you to miss it. Some of these things are dreadful, I know, but this will be a good performance by a splendid pianist.”
    Sophie hesitated. Surely if Frank had known about it, he would have asked her already. And was not Shrewsbury his great friend?
    He interrupted her thoughts. “If you are thinking about Trowbridge, I am quite certain he will be occupied with other things this evening.”
    She heard the dry disapproval in his voice and wondered at it briefly. She did want to go to the musicale, however.
    “Yes, that would be lovely if you would escort me.” She turned to her aunt. “Are you going, Aunt Clarice?”
    “Of course, my love. I would not miss it for anything.”
    “Could